MLB: LA Dodgers 7, Washington 6

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Rafael Furcal hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth Thursday and the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite blowing a four-run lead, downed Washington 7-6.

The Dodgers, who began the night with a five-game lead over Colorado atop the National League West, got an RBI single from Manny Ramirez and a three-run homer from Matt Kemp in the first inning.

They spent the rest of the game trying to fight off the Nationals, who could not avoid losing for the 100th time this season.

Washington forged a 6-6 tie in the sixth on RBI singles by Cristian Guzman and Willie Harris and the score remained deadlocked until Furcal's blast in the eighth.

Washington reliever Ron Villone (4-6) retired the lead-off man in the eighth, but Furcal hit a 1-0 pitch out to right for his ninth homer of the season.

That made a winner out of Ramon Troncoso (5-4). Jonathan Broxton needed 11 pitches to work a perfect ninth for his 36th save.